X-Hawks
By Jake

The X-Hawk is a revolutionary new flying machine that is being developed in Israel. It is a flying vehicle designed for use in crowded cities. X-Hawks are like helicopters, but the rotors are incased in small ducts. The X-Hawk is a rotorless vertical take vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle. Because it doesn't have large rotors like a helicopter, it is much easier to maneuver. It can hover next to a skyscraper or land on the top of a mountain. The X-Hawk will come out in 2010.

There will be many uses for the X-Hawk. There is already an order for the $2.2 million X-Hawk. The X-Hawks will be used as rescue vehicles. For example, firefighters could use them to save people from burning buildings. The military wants some for injured soldiers on the battlefield. Hospitals want them for quick travel to rescue injured people. X-Hawks may even be the taxis of the future. Also, of course they could be used for everyday life.

Dr. Rafi Yoeli runs the company that is creating the X-Hawk. He served in the Israeli Air Force. He got his PhD in Artificial Intelligence from Haifa’s Technician Institute of Technology.

Now you know about the X-Hawk, and maybe you will think about getting one in 2010.

Citations

Online Resources

Brinn, David. “Israeli flying car to provide revolutionary rescue tool.” Israel in the 21 century. 23 February 2005 <http://www.cicweb.ca/Israel21century/science/flyingcar.cfm>.

“It Flies Like an X-Hawk.” Newsweek. 23 February 2005 <http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6844998/site/newsweek/>.

“The Urban Aeronautics X-Hawk.” Gizmo Highway 23 February 2005 <http://www.gizmohighway.com/transport/x-hawk.htm>.

“X-Hawk: The Revolutionary, Modular, Aerial Vehicle.” Urbanaero. 23 < February 2005 < http://urbanaero.com/Frame-X-Hawk.htm >.

Images

Permission to use photograph of X-Hawk from <http://www.gizmohighway.com/>:
Gary Watts. <gizmo@intown.com.au> "RE: Permission to Use Pictures." 29 January 2005. Personal e-mail.